Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Posted by Tim Tyler
Considering Ben Franklin’s personal history of indefatigable self-improvement, especially his focus on reading, writing and speaking, it’s interesting he would observe:
“Well done is better than well said.”
As a man traveling the land during a time of little formal education, perhaps Franklin knew instinctively that words, which became such a great part of his own legacy, [...]
Posted by Tim Tyler
Poor Richard’s Almanack, from 1754, brings the following nugget:
“In Rivers & bad Governments, the lightest Things swim at top.”
Through “Richard Saunders,” Ben Franklin was able to skewer big shots and potentates with little fear of reprisal. By 1754, the “Almanack” was nearing the end of its run, and it wouldn’t be long before Franklin, himself, [...]
Posted by Tim Tyler
Many a phrase or saying has been attributed to Benjamin Franklin through the years, so much so it’s hard to tell for sure anymore whether they sprang from his tongue or pen. Derived from his mind, or not, I can easily imagine his putting it to use all the same:
“Your argument is sound, nothing but [...]
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Posted by Tim Tyler
Ben Franklin became friend, and subsequent business partner to, William Strahan, a fellow printer, from Britain. More than twenty years later, in a letter he wrote, but never sent Strahan, Franklin’s growing anger and frustration over treatment by the British was most evident:
“You are a member of Parliament, and one of that majority which has [...]
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Posted by Tim Tyler
Benjamin Franklin was among the first, and maybe the best, diplomats this nation has ever had. Among the many concepts and skills he brought to bear on his critical missions, was the following:
” Singularity in the right hath ruined many; happy those who are convinced of the general opinion.
The above statement doesn’t mean Franklin was [...]
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Posted by Tim Tyler
As we near Halloween, consider this little treat from the fertile mind of Benjamin Franklin:
” Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don’t have brains enough to be honest. ”
Halloween tricks (and perhaps a bit of teenaged treachery :-O) are small potatoes, when compared to the everyday, grown-up kind.
Funny that election season follows [...]
Posted by Tim Tyler
As they say in the movies, “This means war!” It was clear to the experienced Benjamin Franklin, breaking free of British shackles was a very risky, albeit eminently worthwhile and necessary, proposition. He further believed their goals would be realized if the originators kept their nerve, acted as one, and refused to falter. If not, [...]
Posted by Tim Tyler
Okay, so Ben Franklin wasn’t discussing President Bush when he wrote:
“The honest Man takes Pains, and then enjoys Pleasures; the knave takes Pleasures, and then suffers Pains.”
By now, most people know all about the exaggerated premises, false promises, and poor preparations made by the administration before our Iraq escapade descended into a Mesopotamian morass.
Now I’m [...]
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Posted by Tim Tyler
Judging by Ben Franklin’s 18th century quote below, it would seem folks have been ripping off the government for a long, long time:
“There is no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and more frequently fall than that of defrauding the government.”
Franklin wasn’t limiting his comments to those outside of government, but [...]
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Posted by Tim Tyler
Benjamin Franklin was one of 17 children, and although he exhibited a great facility for learning, his father could not afford higher education for him, and so from ten to twelve years of age, employed Ben at his trade, tallow-chandler and “sope”-maker. He hated it so, and frequently threatened to run off to sea (which [...]